At the beginning of the 19th century,
various tramways were constructed in South Wales to carry bulky and heavy
goods in a more efficient way than on the roads which could be muddy and
rutted in bad weather. These tramways were an early
form of railway, but with horses pulling short trains consisting
of small trucks.
A tramway from Brecon to Hay was opened
in 1816. It was later extended into
Herefordshire with a link to Burlingjobb
in Radnorshire. This meant that coal could be brought up from South Wales
and lime could be brought in for the
farmers.
